Wednesday, March 28, 2012

OIAF plans Ralph Bakshi tribute

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) 2012, running from September 19-23, will pay tribute to the work of animation legend Ralph Bakshi.

Bakshi ignited the imagination of future animators and became a hero to generations of fans and filmmakers by infusing adult themes such as sex, drugs and racism into the family-friendly animation world of the 1970s.

The OIAF will also spotlight the United Kingdom as the festival examines the work of British artists Barry Purves, one of the world's finest puppet animators, and the groundbreaking Unconventional Ad Men: Smith and Foulkes.

Purves’ work has been internationally acclaimed for decades while Smith & Foulkes’ art has been featured in advertising campaigns for some of the world’s most iconic brands including Coca Cola, Honda and Motorola.

YouTubular: Animation in the Age of the Meme will examine the role of YouTube in today’s animation industry and showcase some of the strangest and most contagious viral videos to grace your computer screen.

Other programming announced to date includes: Make 'Em Laugh: Comedians and Animation, which will retrace the historical relationship between animators and comedians; the life and career of Ward Kimball will be examined and the innovative films of the late Karen Aqua will be celebrated.
 
“In past years, our event has been criticized for being too avant-garde or too dark,” says OIAF artistic director Chris Robinson. “This year we wanted to provide some really fun and entertaining programming but don't worry, there’s sure to also be the usual array of delightfully bizarre and thought provoking work that many other members of our audience love.”

The OIAF is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976.  OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub and attracting more than 28,000 artists, producers, students and animation fans from around the world.

For more information, visit the OIAF website at: www.animationfestival.ca.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Janet Hetherington and Ronn Sutton convention appearances 2012

JANET HETHERINGTON & RONN SUTTON:  2012 CONVENTION SCHEDULE
 
Lots of conferences coming up this summer!  First stop is the Toronto Screenwriting Conference, where I hope to make connections and learn more about how to improve my scripts.

Janet Hetherington will be attending:
See Janet Hetherington and Ronn Sutton at:
What we offer at comic-cons:
  • Original art
  • Comic book pages
  • Sketches
  • Comic books
  • Ronn Sutton's Excerpts sketchbook 
  • Free autographs
  • Entertaining chats!

Friday, March 16, 2012

New "Castle" graphic novel from Marvel

Marvel Entertainment and ABC Studios have announced Castle: Richard Castle’s Storm Season, an all-new hardcover graphic novel inspired by the popular “Castle” television series.  I love watching "Castle." I'd love to write one of these books!

“Castle” stars Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, Stana Katic as NYPD Detective Kate Beckett, Susan Sullivan as Martha Rodgers, Molly Quinn as Alexis Castle, Ruben Santiago-Hudson as NYPD Captain Roy Montgomery, Tamala Jones as Medical Examiner Lanie Parish, Jon Huertas as NYPD Detective Javier Esposito, and Seamus Dever as NYPD Detective Kevin Ryan.

The new 112-page hardcover, based the titular novel from noted author Richard Castle, hits comic shops, the Marvel Comics app, iBookstore, Nook Bookstore and everywhere books are sold on October 17, 2012.

(I love the way this press release reads like Richard Castle is a real person.) 

Private Investigator Derrick Storm is hired to bug the hotel suite of an African head of state, but this routine mission quickly spirals out of control when Storm overhears a woman’s terrifying scream on the wire. Plagued by the victim’s helpless cry, Storm—despite an ominous warning—investigates the truth. Soon he’ll discover an international conspiracy reaching further than he ever imagined…and perhaps the truth about Clara Strike, a CIA Agent the world thinks is dead.

“As a comic book fan, I couldn’t be more excited about Brian and Kelly Sue bringing Derrick Storm to life once again in Storm Season” said Richard Castle.  “Storm is a character near and dear to my heart, so I wouldn’t trust him with many people, but he is in some incredibly capable hands with this team.”

This is the second “Castle” original graphic novel to be released through a collaborative effort between Marvel, ABC Studios and the producers of “Castle.” In 2011, Marvel released Castle: Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm.

“Marvel has done an amazing job of bringing Derrick Storm to a new audience and we’re thrilled to keep the magic going with this next graphic novel.” said Andrew W. Marlowe, “Castle” creator/executive producer. “Fans can look forward to another fantastic adventure, filled with page-turning excitement. Storm Season is Richard Castle at his finest.”

Castle: Richard Castle’s Storm Storm reunites the lauded writing duo of Brian Michael Bendis & Kelly Sue DeConnick (Richard Castle’s Deadly Storm) for their second Castle story. They’re joined by rising star artist Emanuela Lupacchino (X-Factor), whose dynamic interior artwork brings the world of Derrick Storm to life like never before. This original graphic comes wrapped in a cover by acclaimed artist Dustin Weaver (S.H.I.E.L.D.).

“The Derrick Storm novels are full of action, intrigue and compelling characters—it’s no surprise that our graphic novel adaptations have taken the literary world by storm!” said Axel Alonso, Marvel Entertainment Editor in Chief. “Castle: Richard Castle’s Storm Season will be one of the most exciting graphic novels you read all year, whether you’re a longtime fan of Richard Castle or new to his exciting stories.”
 
CASTLE: RICHARD CASTLE’S STORM SEASON
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS & KELLY SUE DECONNICK
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Cover by DUSTIN WEAVER
Rated T+…$19.99
ON SALE OCTOBER 17, 2012